Manage any collection

This collecting application can be used for free indefinitely or you can activate it for more features. You download the software and then purchase an activation key to unlock the enhanced features after a free 30 day trial.

What makes this collection software different?

Unlike most other collecting software packages that require a separate purchase for each type of collection they manage, with this collecting application you get all of the following inventory templates and more with one purchase. There is no need to purchase each collection type separately. Pictures may be out of date so be sure to download NM Collecting Software for free so you can see the latest program features first hand.

Templates

Here are some examples of what can be managed. Please see Collection Templates page for a complete list of what is currently available. Click on Collection Template links on the right (or bottom of page) to see more pictures for each collection type.

One Purchase for all of your collections and all of your computers

One purchase entitles you to use this home inventory software for all of your collections on all of your computers. Written for Windows, Mac and Linux.

What is NM Collector Software?

Keep track of every aspect of your collection with this collecting software. Create detailed files on individual items with custom fields for any type of collection. For example, you can track model, serial number, purchase date, purchase price, sale price, and appraised value—even lets you attach photos to each entry. Searchable database has a statistics feature that lets you track both the appraised and realized value of individual items, or your entire collection. Print hard copy reports and personalized tags, even customize the screen appearance, modify or add field headings, and add your own drop-down values.

This collecting software application is written in Java with an embedded Derby database to help people manage their collections. The database can be encrypted or not depending on your needs and preferences. It is designed to be run on any computer that has Java 6 (or greater) installed. Java 6 is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a very stable platform that has been around for many years with no foreseeable end to its availability on these platforms.

Portable Home Inventory Application

This is a truly portable application designed to be run on any computer with any operating system from a USB Flash drive. Although it can be installed on the computer hard drive it is also designed to run entirely off of a USB flash drive that can be plugged into any computer making it a truly portable application.

Run Application on “The Cloud”

For those of you less concerned about privacy, you can easily run this collecting application on the cloud. Doing this allows you to access your collections from any desktop computer anywhere there is an internet connection.

Is Java Safe?

There are some reports about security vulnerabilities with Java. These vulnerabilities are for Java browser plugins (applets) not Java applications like NM Collector. Here are instructions for disabling Java in web browsers to eliminate these vulnerabilities.

Related Android Apps

Through the years many people have requested mobile versions of NM Collector so I built related Android apps. The intent of these apps is to work in conjunction with the Desktop version of NM Collector which makes it easy to input data. That data can then be easily transferred to your mobile device to take with you and make minor adjustments (like easily adding pictures) as necessary on the go and then uploading the changes back to the desktop. Although the mobile apps allow you to enter data from scratch, they are not meant to be the primary means of data entry.

A Note regarding your Privacy and How to Protect it.

This program does not plant anything on your system. Nor does it connect to the internet unless you click a request for help or click on an information link from within the program.

Please click the “Learn more” button below for more information including step by step instructions on how you can setup a Norton Firewall to monitor the newtwork access of any program on your system.

Getting Started

Getting started is as easy as 1 2 3.

1

Follow the step by step instructions on the download page to Download and “install” the option of NM Collector Software that best meets your needs. Please note the following when considering what to download:

USB: Works for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Does not have to berun from USB.

Windows: Windows Only

Mac: Mac Only

Linux: Linux Only

2

Start the program based on the option you downloaded in accordance with these instructions.

Do you really need such large pictures?

The biggest performance hit when using this antique collecting software is large pictures stored in the database. Here is a very useful article regarding how big your pictures really need to be on computers. If you still insist on using large pictures, please do the following to help ensure optimal responsiveness of the program:

Select Options > Pictures > Save In File System.

When the system tells you the files are transferred, allow it to delete them from the database.

How It Works

Since NM Collector is so powerful, it can be a little hard to figure out at first. Therefore, the most commonly asked question is “How do I start entering data?” This question is answered in this video and on this page of step by step instructions with screen captures. It may not initially be intuitive because the User Interface allows you to do the following:

Manage multiple types of collections in one interface –therefore you must select the collection that you want to workwith in the tree view.

Customize most fields in every collection type.

Associate items (like accessories) with their “parent”items.

Once you understand these capabilities it should become obvious howit works.

Since NM Collector Software is written in Java, it can be run directly off of a USB flash drive with no installation required. When run directly from a USB flash drive all data resides on the flash drive itself so it can be removed from the computer and taken with you to be run on any other computer – again – with no installation required. It can also be stored in a safe location.

It does run slower off of a USB flash drive so many people chose to run NM Collector off of their hard drive. In this case, it can still be easily copied to a USB flash drive for backup and for sharing with others.

Tell Me More

Although NM Collector, with its foundation based squarely on NM Gun Collector, is great for gun collections, it can be used for any collection. Many pre-defined collection types are provided by default. All of these can be customized to individual needs and new collection types can be developed from scratch or by starting with a copy of an existing collection type that is close to the new collection type.

Extensive customizations are available including the ability to edit captions, automatic addition of values to drop down lists so they only have to be typed once and then reused, manual editing of drop down lists, and more. You can even change font types and colors to your own preferences!

Other features include unlimited pictures for each item, a view (Statistics) that shows all of your items in a spreadsheet format with sortable columns. Clicking on a row takes you back to the main interface for the item in that row. Summary values are displayed to show you how much your collection is worth and how much it has gone up in value over time!

Other views include Identification, Description, Receipt, Disposition, Events, Maintenance, Data Sheets, and more. Sample screen shots are included below. A complete set can be found in the online documentation.

Customizable Collecting Software

You can customize this collecting software app to your personal preferences including the following:

Look and Feel – pick and choose your own Fonts including style and size as well as foreground and background colors.

Field Headings – standard headings available which you can modify and/or make your own.

Drop Down Values – many provided for each type of collection but you can add and modify your own.

Collection Type Templates – many are provided and you can create your own.

More … see for yourself what you can do …

If you do not like the fields provided by default you can redefine them to your own. You get over 32 fields that you can define.

More Features

Truly portable collecting software – When installed on USB flash drive it can be run on any computer and any computer.

Free email support.

Handles multiple inventory software collection types all in one program. No need for separate purchases for each collection you want to manage.

Collections can be broken up into separate instances of NM Collector if you wish. One license allows you to install the software on multiple computers and multiple times on the same computer allowing you the flexibility you need.

Primary interface is tree view with associated tabs.

Statistics feature that summarizes dollar values (including purchase price, appraised value, insured value, and sales price if applicable) with ability to sort on any field and quickly go to details for any selected item.

Reviews

Cataloging Software Review in Maine Antique Digest. Here is an excerpt from that review:”NM Collector JE is a simple, inexpensive, versatile collection cataloging program that will run on a Windows, Linux, or Macintosh computer.”

References

“Quite possibly the best feature about this software is that it is entirely self-contained with no ‘cloud’ component.” – Tactical Tupperware

“There is no question that this software is comprehensive and built to handle collections of virtually any size without issue. While my gun collection is small it’s already helpful to be able to sort the data in different ways.” – Tactical Tupperware

“Great product. Hit a snag or two when I got started, but Clay guided me through it in a very fast and professional manner. Everything is going smoothly now. As a gunsmith I provide appraisals for gun collectors and insurance purposes. My customers have been more than satisfied with the results and I have been asked by some to do other collections as well. This is easily done because of the versatility of this program. The adaptability of the format ensures very efficient and professional results. I highly recommend this product. Thanks again Clay for your help and support.” – ivgunsmithing, La Salle, IL

“I was looking for something to keep track of all my valuables that I have collected. I came across NM Collector and downloaded the “free version” to get a feel for what it was like. Software is absolutely amazing, the inventor really spent some time ensuring that nothing was missed, it even allows for 100% customization which is great because everyone wants a different configuration. I would recommend the USB version/software to any person that has more than a couple of valuable items. I intended to use this software for my firearm and other collectibles but also decided it would be great storage for home inventory in case something happens I will have something to show my rental insurance company. This product was a brilliant idea and well worth the money. “- Corey, Issaquah WA

“I really enjoy the portability of the new version. I have been able to show off my collection to friends on their computers just by using the thumb drive. I think the whole thing is pretty darn close to perfect, and I’m very grateful to you for producing it.”

“I just bought the NM Collector. I like it very much. I was going through the thought process that if something happens to me, I want my three sons to understand what I have and what it MAY be worth instead of having someone take advantage of them if they choose to dispose of any of them. Taking photos and making detailed descriptions of all my gunsis a pain in the butt, but I feel that I would like to have that info in written form somewhere.”

“I have taken the downloads for GunSafe 2.8 offline. The program has grown quite old, and there are more modern free and commercial offerings now available. I recommend trying out NM Collector. The author is a stand up guy, and puts out updates based on problems/suggestions.”

“Your software is well written and you deserve the revenue. I am a greedy capitalist pig who believes you should be rewarded for your talents… It’s the John Galt in me.” (from a customer who purchased two registrations)

NM Gun Collector Lessons Learned

This Collecting Software capitalizes on lessons learned from NM Gun Collector Feedback and experience from many years of success with NM Gun Collector was incorporated into this new inventory software.

One of the biggest complaints from users of NM Gun Collector was that pictures were not stored in the database itself. Instead, the path to each picture was stored in the database while the pictures themselves remained in the file system. This is a very effective approach from a disk management standpoint but required additional care and backups from a user perspective. This new collecting software allows for either approach to storing pictures – you choose which one you prefer.

A very common request from users of NM Gun Collector was that it support other types of collectibles. That was impossible before but now you can track any and all of your collections in one or multiple copies of this software. Again, the choice is up to you.

Another frequent request was to be able to run NM Gun Collector on platforms other than Windows. This new inventory program can be run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Collecting Software User Stories

Scrum is a popular methodology in modern software development. One aspect of Scrum is the concept of “User Stories” where application developers work closely with a single representative of members of the target audience (known as the “Product Owner”) to define system requirements based on a description of the features from the system user’s perspective. The format of a user story is as follows: “As a [type of user] I want [some feature] to provide [some benefit].”

Below, you will find some examples of user stories from a collector’s perspective for features of NM Collector. Please feel free to suggest user stories of your own!

As a collector of _______________ , I want …

to capture identification information (including purchase price and current value) for insurance claims in case of any of my items are lost or stolen.

NM Collector captures key information required by insurance companies for loss claims including identification information, purchase price, current value, appraised value, appraised by, appraisal date, and more including unlimited pictures. Pictures can be loaded through the desktop application and the mobile app can be used to capture pictures which can then be uploaded into the desktop application.

This data can then be exported to excel or insurance reports (with or without pictures) can be saved to PDF files to send to your insurance agent.

to easily view my items electronically so that I …

do not have to to open my safe or go to any other storage location to see what I have.

You can track any information that you might want to review about any item including pictures so you do not have to actually handle the item to remind yourself exactlywhat it is and what characteristics it has.

can easily decide if I want to make a purchase or sale to improve my collection no matter where I am.

Mobile versions of NM Collector are available that allow you to view pictures and key information on your mobile device where ever you go. NM Collector itself is designed to be run on any computer from a USB flash drive so you can take it with you wherever you go and see your collection using any computer available to you with no installation required.

my data to be safe, secure and accessible only to me and those that I chose to give access to.

There are several security mechanisms available with NM Collector. The first is to run it strictly from a USB Flash drive that you can control access to. That way nobody gets to your data unless you allow them access to the USB flash drive.

One disadvantage of running strictly from a USB flash drive is that it can be slow for largecollections. In this case you will want to run NM Collector from your computer hard drive. That will require another level of security which, in this case, is encryption with a password. Of course, you can encrypt your data and password protect it on your USB flash drive as well.

Another key component when it comes to protecting your data is to back it up in case of loss from your primary source (be it a USB flash drive or your desktop hard drive). One way to backup your data is to copy it to another USB flash drive or a hard drive.

to search my collection to quickly find any item.

A “Find” button is provided that can be used to locate any item in the main tree view interface.

to organize my collection by various attributes so I can easily group my items by any characteristic that I want to track.

A statistics screen allows you to sort your collection by any attribute that you capture. Once you find an item you can double click it to go to the data entry screens.

to track who I received each item from and, if appropriate, who I gave or sold each item to so that I can easily look them up if required (including BATFE Compliant Bound Book Format for Firearms).

NM Collector provides fields to track receipt and disposition data including date, amount, and person and / or business information for who the item was recieved from or disposed to. The item can be loaded in order to find who it was received from or dispositioned to. Also, the statistics window can be used to sort by receipt from or disposition to if you want to see all items received from or dispositioned to any individual. For firearms, BATFE compliant reports can be generated.

to track maintenance procedures, when they are completed, and next due, so I can be sure I properly maintaining my items for optimal condition and value.

A screen is provided to capture not only maintenance procedures for each item but also when they were last performed and when they will be required next by elapsed time or elapsed units of your choice.

to track shows and other events by item so I can track any awards or other notable distinctions associate with my items.

Multiple events for each item can be captured including date, cost of the event, helpers, and results.

to keep detailed data sheets of individual components that make up each item so I have a record of its composition. This is particularly useful for certain U.S. Military small arms.

A free form data sheet page is provided allowing you to track all identifiable components of your items. Many data sheet templates are available that can be copied and pasted into this page for you to enter the details for each item.

to define my own fields so I can track the information that I want to track about my collection.

In addition to the predefined fields provided by default, there are many blank fields that can be defined as you want. Almost all of the predefined fields in NM Collector can be renamed to track the information that you want to track.

to define my own collection type in case I cannot find software configured to manage the type of collection that I want to manage.

Not only can individual fields of an existing collection type be redefined to meet your specific requirements, whole new collection types can be defined to meet your needs. You can define your own collection types from scratch or by copying an existing collection type that is close to what you need.

printable documentation so I do not have to read on-line documentation.

There are many, perhaps too many, on-line support resources available to research any topic including pictures, textual instructions, and even videos. In addition, email support is available.

the ability to submit recommendations and see my suggestions in a future release of the software so I can help to improve the product.

Suggestions are always encouraged and welcome! This software has a long history of improvements based on feedback from the user community. This tradition will continue as it is one of the best ways to ensure continued success in meeting customer requirements!